Ambulatory splint



Feb. 6, 1940.

Filed May 18, 1957 M. BRYANT AMBULATORY SPLINT A TTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 6, 1940 2,189,053 V AMBULATORY sPnrN'r. j

""Melvi'n'Bryant, Bay City, Mien, a's'signor of one third to George J. Curry, Flint, ,Mich. I Application May 18,.1937, Seria1 Ne. 143,242.

' 3 Claims. (01. 128-87) This invention'relates to an ambulatory splint and more particularlyto a supporting brace or frame for use; in combination with the usual plaster cast to enable the wearer to walk (with ;.;:the aid of=crutches)' long-prior to the removal of the cast, and prior to the complete healing of the fracture.

One of the prime objects of the invention is to design an ambulatory splint for use by persons having fractured lower limbs, and which isso attached and mounted that the weight of the person when standing or walking is supported at a point above the fracture.

' Another object is to provide an ambulatory splint of neat appearance, which is composed of few parts, all of rugged and sturdy construction, and which is adjustable to suit the size of th wearer.

A further object is to provide an ambulatory splint by means of which pegs or pins can be inserted through the bone above, or above and befacture and apply, and which is conducive to maximum comfort for the wearer.

With the above and other objects in view, the

present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and more particularly pointedout in the appended claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the form, size, proportion and minor details of construction, without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of my ambulatory splint showing it in applied position.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail side view.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view.

Whenv a bone or bones in {a persons leg are fractured the leg is immediately set to place the bones in proper relation and position, and later on the leg is placed in a plaster cast to securely hold the bones in properalignment and prevent deformity and crooked limbs. If but one leg is fractured, the patient can walk by use of crutches and the sound leg, but if both legs are fractured, the patient is unable to walk, and I have, therefore, perfected a very simple and practical apparatus, so that the persons weight can be carried when walking, at a point above the fracture enabling him to walk with the an or crutches. P

Referring now'more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 6 indicates a preferably metallic foot frame, rectangular in shape as clearly, shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, this frame being of a size to provide ample bearing surface, so that, the patient will have no difiiculty in standing or walking. I

The rear end of this foot frame is curved upwardly as shown at 7 so, that the rear end of the frame will not drag when the patient walks in a more or less stiff-legged manner.

Slotted openings 8 are provided in the side bars of this frame at points intermediate their length, and for a purpose to be presently described, and the lower face of this frame is preferably lined with rubber 9 to absorb any shock or jars and to further prevent slipping.

A' U-shaped stirrup I extends across and is secured to the side bars of this foot frame by means of bolts ll, these bolts extending through the slotted openings 8, so that the lower end of the stirrup may be'adjusted on the frame to maintain proper balance, the upper ends of said stirrup being secured to the ends of a circular band I2, which in practice fits thepatients leg, a rear bar brace I3 being secured'to this band and to the rear of the foot frame as shown, so that the device is properly and rigidly braced.

Additional openings I4 and I are provided in the end sections of the stirrup and the rearbar brace respectively, and provide a means of adjustment to suit persons of various heights.

In practice the upperend sectionsflof the stirrup, the band, and rear brace are moulded in and covered by the plaster when the cast is poured, the lower ends and the foot frame being free, and when the plaster is set, the device will be securely and firmly held in position, providing ample bearing byreason of the metal being moulded in the cast. The rubber facing 9 is then applied to the foot frame and the patient can then walk without undue exertion by utilizing crutches to steady and relieve part ;of the weight. A

Under certain conditions it may be desirable to insert pins (not shown) through the bone above and/or below the fracture, with the ends of the pins embedded in the cast, thus supporting the patients weight on the pins; this construction lends itself to such arrangement and permits the patient to walk within a reasonably short length of time.

When the fractures have healed and the cast must be removed, it is broken off in the conventional manner, and the brace can then be used again if desired.

From the foregoing description it will be obvious that I have perfected a very simple, practical and substantial ambulatory splint for application to broken or fractured limbs.

What I claim is: V

1. A fracture apparatus adapted to be secured in position by and be embedded in a plaster cast, said apparatus comprising a rectangular shaped open foot frame, a U-shaped stirrup spanning the opening in said frame and adjustable longitudinally thereon, a circular band connecting the free upper ends of the stirrup, and a brace shaped to fit the curvature of a patients leg and.- connected to the rear of said band and to said foot frame respectively, said apparatus forming a rigid structure with the cast when applied.

2. A fractureapparatus adapted to be embedded in :a plaster cast and comprising a rectangular shaped foot frame, a resilient facing secured to the lower surface thereof, openings in the side bars of said frame, a one piece U- shaped stirrup mounted on said foot frame and having longitudinally disposed slotted openings in alignment with the opening in said side bars,

securing means extending through said openings to permit adjustment of said stirrup on said frame, a circular band connecting the upper ends 3. A fracture apparatus adapted to be secured" position by and embeddedin a plaster cast comprising a flat ground engaging rectangular shaped foot frame provided with an upwardly curvedrear endsection, a U-shaped stirrup spann ing said frame and longitudinally adjustable thereon, a rear brace shaped to fitthe' curvature of 'a patientsleg and connected to the rear end of p the foot frame, vertically spaced openings in the upper ends of the stirrup and back brace, and a. band adius'ta'bly connected to said stirrupand rear brace, said apparatus being embedded in the, plaster cast and forming" a rigid unit therewith when applied.

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